norton



J. D. 85 L. M. NORTON.

(N0 Modgl.)

BRACKET FOR LADDERS.

Patented Aug. 18, 1885.

llmrnn STATES ATENT JOSEPH D. NORTON AND LEONARD M. NORTON, OF LOUDVILLE, MASS.

BRACKET FOR LADDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 324,782, dated August 18, 1.885.

Application filed June .26, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J OSEPH D. NORTON and LEONARD M. NORTON, of Loudville, in the county of Hampshire andState of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Brackets for Ladders; and we do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

Our invention relates to an improvement in brackets for ladders; and it consists in a bracket which is provided with a series of notches at its lower end to catch over the round of the ladder, a hook or hooks at its inner upper end to catch over asecond round of the ladder, and a stop at its upper outer corner, for the purpose of preventing the board which forms the scaffold from slipping off.

The object of our invention is to provide a bracket which is to be applied either to the inner or outer sides of ladders, and which is supported upon'two rounds at the same time, and which brackets serve to support the board or scaffold which entends from one ladder to the other, thus enabling a scaffold to be instantly erected upon two ladders at any time and at any height that may be desired.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bracket embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a front View of the same. I

A represents the body of the bracket, which may be made of wood or any other suitable material, and which has a series of notches, 13, made in its lower end for the purpose of catching over the rounds of theladder. These notches are out upon a curve orinclination, as shown, so as to adapt the bracket to stand at different angles, according to the position in which the ladder is standing. If the body is made of wood,it will be re-enforced or strengthened by the iron rods or bars 0 D E,which are arranged as shown. The top bars, 0 E, eX- tend parallel with the top edge of the body A, and have their inner ends formed into the hooks G, which catch over one of the rounds of the ladder, and in connection with the notches 13 support the brackets in any desired position. The outer end of the red C projects beyond the outer upper corner of the bracket, and is secured to red D at a suitable distance below its upper end. The rod D is fastened at its lower end to the side of the body A above the notches B, and then extends diagonally outward and upward, as shown. This upper end,which projects above the red 0, forms the stop G, which serves to prevent the board,which forms the scaffold or support of any kind, from being forced backward off the top of the bracket.

One of these brackets or portion of a brackct will be applied either to the outer or inner side of the ladder, according to the distance from the wall, and upon the two brackets or parts of a bracket will be placed a board or support of any kind for the purpose of forming a scaffold for the workmen to move back and forth upon. \Vhen the brackets are to be used at or near the top of the ladder, they must necessarily be applied upon its outer side, whereas when used near the bottom of the ladders they will be applied to theirinner sides, as shown.

Two or more scaffolds can be applied to the same ladders, or only one scaffold can be used and shifted rapidly from one round to another, as may be desired.

The hooks upon the inner corner of the brackets are formed by bending or twisting the ends at right angles to the body of the rods C E, and thus form Wide hooks, which will not allow the scaffolds to upset or get out of position.

The outer end of the rod E may only extend to the outer edge of the body A, or it may extend outward as far as the one C, and to be fastened to the opposite side of the rod D.

Where the body of the bracket is made of wood and then strengthened by the iron bars or rods 0 D E, as here shown, the bracket is practically made in one piece,withno folding or adjustable parts to get out of place or to be lost, and can be moved easily from round to round.

If desired, two of the brackets may be used upon the same ladder, and by placing a short board or support upon their tops will form a step, rest, or support for anything which a person may desire to support in position.

By using the notches in different positions, shaped as to form the hooks at their upper inin order to adjust the top edges of the two ner end of the bracket and the stop at the brackets on the same level, a scaffold can be outer corner, subs antially as described. built upon a long and a short ladder as per- In testimony whereof we affix our signatures 1 5 fectly as upon ladders of the sarne length. in presence of two witnesses.

61 giving thus described our invention, we JOSEPH D. NORTON LEONARD M. NORTON.

A bracket for a ladder, composed of the body A, having a series of notches inits lower Witnesses: '10 end, and which is strengthened by the rods or S. T. SEELY.

bars 0 D E, the said rods or bars being so WALTER L. BOYDEN. 

